| blog Search our safety articles and quotes...

Articles Products Login

ASSIGNED ROLES DURING

CONFINED SPACE PERMIT-
REQUIRED WORK
WEEKLYSAFETY ▶ BLOG ▶ CONFINED SPACES ▶

Each person assigned a role during confined space entry must be provided with sufficient
training to understand what is required of them and how to use any equipment before any
confined space work begins.

Confined spaces are more commonly found on the job than most workers realize. The
term confined space means any space that is large enough for a worker to enter and
perform tasks but isn’t designed for workers to be inside continuously and has limited or
very restricted means for entry or exit.
OSHA requires that if hazards are present in a confined space then workers can only
enter to work inside the space under a written permit-required confined space program.
To safely enter and work inside a confined space, it is important that every worker inside
and outside of the space know, understand, and follow their specific roles, duties, and
responsibilities.

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1204(h) and General Industry Standard

1910.146(d)(8) Each entry employer must designate each person who is to have
an active role (as, for example, authorized entrants, attendants, entry
supervisors, or persons who test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit space)
in entry operations, identify the duties of each such employee, and provide each
such employee with the training required.

Authorized entrant refers to an employee who is authorized by their employer to enter

a confined space. Entrants need to have a good understanding of the following:
Hazards that they may encounter when working in the confined space
How to use all equipment, tools, and devices such as air monitoring equipment
and breathing apparatus
The method of communication with the attendant outside of the confined space
Exit and rescue process in the event of any unexpected hazards that arise
Any authorized entrant must immediately exit the confined space if given an evacuation
order by the attendant or entry supervisor.
Every authorized entrant has the authority to stop work and request evacuation if an
unsafe condition is detected.

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1208(a) and General Industry Standard

1910.146(h)(1) The entry employer must ensure that all authorized entrants
are familiar with and understand the hazards that may be faced during entry,
 including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of
the exposure.

Attendant refers to an individual stationed outside one or more confined spaces who
monitors the authorized entrants and performs specific duties assigned in the written
permit-required confined space program. The attendant must know the following:
What hazards that may be faced during entry, including any signs or symptoms of
exposure
Who are the authorized entrants and how many entrants are within the confined
space at any time
How to maintain communication with the entrants during the entry and how to
initiate an emergency evacuation of the entrants
Rescue procedures and requirements including the procedure and means to
summon immediate emergency assistance
How to use any equipment necessary to maintain continuous airflow and to
monitor the atmosphere within the confined space for sufficient oxygen and
potential toxic or flammable conditions.
Every attendant has the authority and responsibility to stop work and request
evacuation if an unsafe condition is detected.
The attendant must perform no duties that might interfere with their primary duty to
monitor and protect the authorized entrants.

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1209(d) and General Industry Standard

1910.146(i)(4) The employer must ensure that each attendant remains outside
the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant.
Entry supervisor refers to the person responsible for determining if acceptable entry
conditions are present at a confined space, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry
operations, and for terminating entry as required. The entry supervisor is responsible
for the following:
Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry, including the signs or
symptoms, and consequences
Confirms that all personnel have the appropriate training, education, and skills for
their designated roles
Verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit,
that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures
and equipment specified by the permit are in place before signing the permit and
allowing entry to begin
Ensures that the appropriate rescue procedures, equipment, or services are
identified and ready prior to authorizing the entry to begin
Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit
space during entry operations
Terminates the entry and cancels the permit if necessary

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1210(f) and General Industry Standard

1910.146(j)(6) The entry employer must ensure that each entry supervisor
determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is
transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed
within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the
entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained.
Rescue service refers to the personnel designated to rescue employees from confined
spaces. It is important to have a procedure for obtaining emergency rescue before
beginning an entry into a confined space. A system and equipment to retrieve and
rescue entrants without having to go into the confined space is ideal however
sometimes it may not be possible due to the configuration of the space.
When designating a rescue service consider the following:
Is the rescue team able to reach the victim(s) within a time frame that is
appropriate for the confined space hazard(s) identified?
Does the rescue team have the skills and proficiency, with rescue-related tasks and
equipment, to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the specific
confined space or types of confined spaces identified?

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1204(i) and General Industry Standard

1910.146(d)(9) The entry employer must develop and implement procedures
for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from
permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued
employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a
rescue.
Weeklysafety.com is giving away 10 free safety topics, no credit card required! Take
advantage and grab your free set of safety meeting topics today by clicking the button
below.

CLICK HERE TO GET 10 FREE SAFETY MEETING TOPICS

OTHER SAFETY ARTICLES

DRIVING SAFETY BEST PRACTICES

DRIVING DISCONNECT:
ALL ABOUT TOOLBOX TALKS:
HANDS-FREE IS STILL A RISKY
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
OPTION
Read More → Read More →